Native Plant Trust’s Post

Shisham Dalbergia sissoo, known commonly as North Indian rosewood or shisham, is a fast-growing, hardy, deciduous rosewood tree native to the Indian subcontinent and southern Iran. D. sissoo is a large, crooked tree with long, leathery leaves and whitish or pink flowers. Description:- Dalbergia sissoo is a medium to large deciduous tree with a light crown, which reproduces by seeds and suckers. It can grow up to 25 m (82 ft) in height and 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) in diameter, but is usually smaller. Trunks are often crooked when grown in the open. Leaves are leathery, alternate, pinnately compound, and about 15 cm (5.9 in) long. Flowers are whitish to pink, fragrant, nearly sessile, up to 1.5 cm (0.59 in) long, and in dense clusters 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 in) in length. Pods are oblong, flat, thin, strap-like, 4 to 8 cm (1.6 to 3.1 in) long, 1 cm (0.39 in) wide, and light brown. They contain one to five flat, bean-shaped seeds, 8 to 10 mm (0.31 to 0.39 in) long. They have a long taproot and numerous surface roots that produce suckers. Young shoots are downy and drooping; established stems have light brown to dark gray bark, up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) thick, shed in narrow strips; large upper branches support a spreading crown. Ecology:- Dalbergia sissoo is the larval food plant of the black rajah (Charaxes solon). Uses :- Timber It is the best known economic timber species of the rosewood genus sold internationally, but it is also used as fuel wood and for shade and shelter. After teak, it is the most important cultivated timber tree of Bihar, which is the largest producer of shisham timber in India. In Bihar, the tree is planted on roadsides, along canals, and as a shade tree for tea plantations. It is also commonly planted in southern Indian cities such as Bangalore as a street tree. North Indian rosewood is usually dried before being used in furniture manufacturing, a process commonly known as seasoning. Locally, it is left in open areas to dry under the sun for about six months. Commercially, it is dried in closed chambers with hot-air circulation for about 7 to 15 days, depending on weather conditions. The ideal moisture level is around 5 to 6% for thinner pieces and up to 11% for thicker ones, depending on use. Any level lower than this can cause sudden cracking of the final products. North Indian rosewood is among the finest cabinet and veneer timbers. It is the wood from which 'mridanga', the Rajasthani percussion instrument, is often made. In addition to musical instruments, it is used for plywood, agricultural tools, flooring, as a bentwood, and for turning. The heartwood is golden to dark brown; the sapwood is white to pale brownish white. The heartwood is durable (its specific gravity is 0.7 – 0.8) and is very resistant to fungi, but the sapwood is readily attacked by dry-wood termites and borers. D. sissoo is known to contain the neoflavonoid dalbergichromene in its stem bark and heartwood.

The Adenium plant, also known as the Desert Rose or Sabi Star, is a striking succulent native to arid regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Here's a brief description: 1. Appearance: Adeniums are known for their distinctive, swollen trunk or caudex, which stores water. They have thick, fleshy stems and branches with dark green, glossy leaves that are clustered at the tips. 2. Flowers: Adeniums produce stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in various colors, including shades of pink, red, and white. These flowers can be single or double-petaled and have a striking appearance. 3. Size: Depending on the variety and growing conditions, Adeniums can range from small potted plants to small trees, reaching heights of up to 10 feet (3 meters) or more. 4. Care: Adeniums thrive in well-draining soil and require plenty of sunlight, making them suitable for warm, sunny climates. They are drought-resistant but should be watered sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Regular pruning helps maintain their shape. 5. Toxicity: Keep in mind that all parts of the Adenium plant are considered toxic if ingested, so it's essential to keep them out of reach of children and pets. 6. Symbolism: Adeniums are often associated with resilience and endurance due to their ability to thrive in harsh desert conditions. These unique and attractive plants are popular among gardeners and collectors for their captivating appearance and adaptability to arid environments.

New Post: Exploring the Beauty of Anthurium Friedrichsthalii: Care and Cultivation Tips - https://lnkd.in/dqteyFPv. Introduction A. Brief Overview of Anthurium Friedrichsthalii Anthurium Friedrichsthalii, commonly known as the “Painter’s Palette” or “Laceleaf,” is a captivating tropical plant celebrated for its striking foliage. With its vibrant and artistically patterned leaves, this Anthurium species has gained immense popularity among plant enthusiasts. B. Intriguing Characteristics and Unique Features What sets Anthurium Friedrichsthalii...Best Plants for Home Gardening

#Landscape Lagestonia Black Leaf (Shrub) Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica Common Name: Pride of India, Rose of India Description: It is a deciduous tree with bright red flowers. It is a small to medium-sized tree or shrub growing to 20m tall, with smooth, flaky bark. The leaves are deep purple, oval to elliptic, 8–15 cm long and 3–7 cm broad. The flowers are produced in erect panicles 20–40 cm long. The flowers in this plant blooms only once in a year at the peak of summer. Uses: It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. Grown as single trunk trees for use both in the landscape or as a street tree. Widely grown for ornamental purposes and as roadside trees. This species is very appreciated in the horticulture market for its large, showy, bright pink to lavender flowers. It is often planted in gardens, yards and parks, around parking lots, and along highways

Fetish or fear? THE UNUSUAL WAYS IN WHICH INSECTS HAVE INSPIRED HUMAN BEINGS. Insects are the most diverse form of animals. There evolution dates back to approximately 480 million years ago and they have been known to coexist with human beings either as harmless, beneficial or as harmful pests, and later category being most dreaded as. But, in reality insects are more than what most of us think as. They have been mentioned in our ancient puranas too for instance Maa Bhramari devi considered as an aspect of Mata Durga, is associated with bees, and hence bees are considered as holiest insects.Normally when insects are mentioned, feelings of awe or disgust arise, but are they really that offensive? Insect lovers or entomophilies have different opinion about the insects and for such people insects have been source of inspiration.It’s true that most of the insects are destructive either as carrier of most deadly diseases or as pests, be it crop pest or household one. But then there are many insects that are beneficial and productive. There are number of insect’s species like bees, bumblebees, hoverflies beetles, wasps and butterflies which are responsible for pollination of many plants. Honey bees and lac insects are well known productive insects.But there are few bizarre ways in which insects have created an impact on us. So, herein we discuss about those unusual uses of insects. Insect jewelry: insects have been used a jewelry since long time. During Egyptian and Mayan period beetles were worn as ornaments. Few of the insects are truly beautiful and colorful, good enough to be adorned as jewels. For instance elytra of jewel beetle belonging to family Bupresitidae is used in ornaments like earrings, necklaces, bangles etc. the colour of the elytra being beautifully iridescent is suitable for using it as piece of any jewelry. Use of caddisfly larvae to create jewelry: larvae of caddisfly belonging to order Trichoptera normally found in rivers and they spin a temporary cocoons by using their saliva as mortar to seal twigs, sand particles and small pebbles. But a self taught French artist Hubart Duprat got an idea to use them to spin a cocoon made of gold and pearls and when he experimented the idea, results were astonishingly unique tiny sculptures.So, some designers have moved beyond the “ick” factor, and experimented too far with insects as jewelry. For instance, fashion designer Jared Gold included live insect jewelry in form of bejeweled roach brooch trend in 2006. Though the trend was short lived but had earned lot of popularity.In Yucatan region of Mexico where the Maquech Beetle of family Zopheridae is found in large number, there is a fad of wearing them as live ornaments. The beetles are bedazzled by gems, and shiny paints, tied up with tiny chains jewelry.Although these trends have been often challenged by PETA as it involves cruelty according to animal right activists.